Man awarded death for killing 18-month-old nephew in UP’s Firozabad

Man Gets Death Sentence for Brutally Killing 18-Month-Old Nephew in Firozabad

Man awarded death for killing 18 month – A 24-year-old man from Badaun city has been handed the death penalty for killing his 18-month-old nephew in a shocking act of violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad district. The court delivered its judgment within 40 days of the incident, following a swift police investigation that included a chargesheet filed just six days after the crime and testimony from 13 witnesses completed in a week.

Incident Details and Motive

The accused, identified as Viraj alias Jitendra, allegedly targeted his nephew Aarav after his sister-in-law Rati rejected his marriage proposal. According to Aditya Langeh, senior superintendent of police (SSP) in Firozabad, the incident occurred when Viraj visited Rati in Bamai, who had traveled to Shikohabad to meet her family. He reportedly proposed to her, but she declined, leading to the tragic act of repeatedly slamming the child against the ground.

Family Background and Judicial Rationale

Rati, who married Sumit Kumar of Badaun in 2024, is the mother of Aarav, born in 2025. The couple’s son was described as a key figure in the accused’s plan to marry Rati, as he was the brother of the man Viraj sought to wed. The court emphasized the severity of the crime, stating that mitigating factors did not outweigh the aggravating circumstances.

“Iron Cuts Iron. The fear developed in society can only be removed by giving severe punishment to the accused. Otherwise, the community will remain in dread that such brutal acts end with lenient penalties,” remarked the district and sessions judge, Dr Babbu Sarang.

“The incident not only resulted in the murder of an innocent child but also left a profound impact on the lives of the parents. The accused’s method—slamming the child on the road multiple times and confirming his death—was deemed heinous, unprovoked, and exceptionally cruel,” the judge added.

A video of the attack, captured on CCTV in Yadav colony, Shikohabad, quickly spread online, drawing widespread attention to the case. Viraj was arrested the same day the crime occurred, confessing that his brother’s son had become an obstacle to his marital aspirations.